Kurama Yakumo!

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"Lady Kurenai, how can I repay Hokage-sama for his kindness?"

Baiyun Kurama leaned closer to Kurenai Yuhi, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Baiyun, think carefully," Kurenai replied, her tone calm yet firm. "What has always been the ultimate goal of our clan?"

"The clan's goal?"

Baiyun frowned, contemplating her words. The Kurama Clan, one of Konoha's most esteemed families, held influence that spanned far beyond the village. They possessed considerable wealth and were recognized across the lands. What could they possibly be lacking?

But as he studied Kurenai's serene expression, realization dawned on him. The clan's true goal wasn't material wealth or political power. It was something far more important—continuing their bloodline.

"I understand now," Baiyun murmured, his mind racing. "The only thing the clan lacks... is children."

"Exactly," Kurenai said with a slight smile. "If the Kurama Clan hopes to regain its former glory, an alliance with the Hokage's line is the most effective path."

"If that's the case, I am willing to offer Yakumo's hand to Hokage-sama," Baiyun whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

"You've always been wise, Baiyun," Kurenai said approvingly. "This could indeed restore our clan. And under your leadership, the Kurama name may rise once again."

Baiyun felt a surge of excitement at the prospect. Marrying Yakumo to the Hokage would not only secure the clan's future but also elevate their status, binding them closer to the most powerful figure in Konoha.

"Hokage-sama, what are your thoughts?" Baiyun asked, turning to Senju Takuya, who had been quietly observing the conversation.

"My thoughts?" Takuya chuckled softly. "My plan is simple: I will rid Yakumo of the demon inside her."

He stepped forward, his expression determined. "Stay here. I'll take care of it."

Without another word, Takuya left the room, his senses already attuned to Yakumo's chakra signature.

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In a remote section of the Kurama estate, a luxurious yet secluded villa stood nestled among tall trees. Inside, a young girl sat silently in the darkness, dressed in pajamas. The only light came from a small lamp beside her, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

The floor was littered with unfinished paintings—disturbing, abstract images that reflected the girl's troubled mind. Yakumo Kurama held a paintbrush in her right hand, a palette in her left. Her dull eyes, framed by pale skin, gazed blankly at a half-finished portrait.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the room. Yakumo's sharp eyes flickered with awareness. She quickly discarded her brush, grabbing a fresh sheet of paper as her hands began to work feverishly.

"So this is where she's been kept?" Takuya mused as he entered the villa. "No wonder she's deteriorated. This place feels suffocating."

Dust coated every surface, and the furniture was old and worn. Takuya pulled open the heavy curtains, flooding the room with sunlight. The entire space immediately felt warmer, more welcoming.

"Much better," he muttered, satisfied with the small change before ascending the creaky wooden stairs to Yakumo's room.

Upon reaching the door, he knocked softly. When there was no answer, he cautiously pushed it open. What greeted him was a sudden wave of heat. The floor appeared to have turned into a bubbling sea of molten lava, threatening to consume him if he took another step.

The hallway behind him had transformed into a bottomless void.

"Impressive," Takuya noted with a smile. "Her genjutsu is truly formidable. The genius of the Kurama Clan, indeed."

Without hesitation, he called out, "Yakumo, I'm here to help you."

In response, a massive fire dragon emerged from the magma, roaring as it charged toward him. Takuya remained calm, unmoving, as the beast enveloped him in its fiery maw.

For a moment, the air was filled with the sound of agonizing screams—then everything vanished. The room returned to normal, the illusion shattered.

Yakumo stood, rising from her chair, and cautiously approached the door. Her eyes locked on Takuya's charred body, which lay motionless on the ground, smoke still rising from his burns.

"Hmph," she scoffed, turning to leave.

But before she could take a step, flames erupted from Takuya's body, spreading rapidly throughout the room.

"W-What's happening?!" Yakumo cried, panic taking hold. Flames terrified her—they always had, ever since the night her parents died in a fire.

As the flames consumed her surroundings, Yakumo found herself outside the villa, watching in horror as it burned to the ground. Kurama clan members scrambled to extinguish the blaze, but it was futile.

"This… this is the night they died," Yakumo whispered, her heart pounding as memories of that tragic night came flooding back.

Yakumo gripped her hair in horror, staring at the scene before her. Moments ago, she had been in her room—how did she end up here?

As Yakumo struggled to comprehend her surroundings, the flames began to die down, soon extinguished, and the crowd that had gathered slowly dispersed.

Feeling the eerie silence, Yakumo cautiously opened her eyes. She walked slowly, her steps sluggish, toward the charred remains of what had once been her home.

Before long, two burned corpses appeared in front of her.

"Father... Mother..."

Yakumo fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably. The scene was all too familiar—she had dreamed of it countless times, and each time, the pain was unbearable.

Suddenly, a faint voice broke the silence.

Yakumo froze, her sobs halting as she stared intently at the two corpses.

"Y...akumo..."

One of the corpses, nearly charred beyond recognition, spoke again, this time moving.

"Y...akumo..."

Panicking, Yakumo stumbled backward, her hand pressing against still-warm embers, burning her skin.

"Ah!"

The sharp pain snapped her back to reality. Everything felt too real. This wasn't a dream—it was far too vivid.

"Yakumo... Why did you harm us?" one of the corpses asked, its voice hoarse and broken. It was her father.

"Father, no... I didn't harm you!" Yakumo cried, shaking her head in desperation.

"You're lying!" he accused. "You trapped us in one of your illusions while we slept. Then the fire consumed us. Yakumo, why did you do this?"

"No... No, it can't be true," Yakumo muttered, memories of the night flooding back. She remembered sitting silently outside her home, paintbrush in hand, and as she painted, the house had caught fire.

"Did... Did I really kill them?" Yakumo whispered in disbelief.

At that moment, a monstrous figure with a green face and fangs appeared before her.

"Yakumo, why do you blame yourself?" the monster asked, its voice cold.

"Who... Who are you?" Yakumo asked, trembling.

"I am Ido, the darkness within your heart," it replied. "I took over your body and killed your parents."

"Why would you do that?" Yakumo shouted, her voice filled with fear and anger.

"Why?" Ido sneered. "They forced you to abandon your dream of becoming a ninja, so I helped you by ending their lives."

Ido's words brought back painful memories. Yakumo had always shown immense talent and had dreamed of becoming a shinobi, but her father had forced her to leave the Academy.

"So... It was my inner resentment that brought you forth," Yakumo said, her voice trembling as she began to understand.

"Yakumo," her father's voice interrupted gently, "we only wanted to protect you. We spoke with Kurenai-sensei, and she promised that when you were older, Hokage-sama would help you regain your strength, and you could become a shinobi."

"Really?" Yakumo asked, her voice fragile with hope.

"Don't listen to him—it's all lies!" Ido spat, but Yakumo ignored the creature.

"It's true," her father continued. "You are our pride, a genius. We never wanted to destroy your dream."

The knot in Yakumo's heart began to unravel.

"So, this is the truth," Yakumo murmured, her voice gaining strength. "Ido, you deserve to be destroyed!"

It wasn't her—it was this monster, Ido, who had taken her parents from her.

"Hahaha... Even if that's the truth, it's too late," Ido cackled. "You'll remain here, trapped with your dead parents, while I take over your body!"

Ido raised its hand, sharp claws poised to strike Yakumo. But before it could attack, a flash of light split the air, severing both of Ido's arms.

"Ah! Who are you? Why are you here?" Ido shrieked, staring at the man standing before it, fear creeping into its voice.

The man, exuding calm power, smiled softly. "I'm here to put an end to this."

With a swift movement, the man slashed again, bisecting Ido's body. Immediately, black flames ignited, engulfing the creature.

"No!" Ido howled as the flames of Amaterasu consumed it, leaving no trace behind.

"It's over," the man said, offering Yakumo his hand. She hesitated but eventually took it, allowing him to help her up.

"Who... Who are you?" Yakumo asked shakily, still disoriented.

"You don't recognize me?" the man replied with a small smile. "Just moments ago, you tried to kill me."

Yakumo's eyes widened in realization. She remembered now—she had attacked this man, but how?

Looking around, she found herself back in her room. The man stood at the door, and she was seated in her chair.

"Who... are you?" Yakumo repeated, panic welling up again. There had been no trace of an illusion—it all felt so real.

"Yakumo," the man said calmly, his confidence unwavering. "I am Senju Takuya, the Hokage of Konoha."

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